CCoronal Mass Ejection Aug 2, 2010: Implications for Earthbound Folks?

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In summary: A CME on August 2nd was a class C3 eruption and caused aurora displays in the sky. It could potentially be a problem for space travelers and NASA's mission planning, but not a major issue for objects in Earth's orbit. There were also reports of pretty lights in the sky as far south as Michigan.
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diogenesNY
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Well, the title kinda describes it... as of Aug 2, 2010.

http://nasawatch.com/archives/2010/08/coronal-mass-ej.html

Notwithstanding fun, sensationalist, doomsday stories, what, if any, are the bread and butter implications to us earthbound folks? How about any issues with the space station and its inhabitants?

The video is pretty cool and dramatic, but I suspect that (notwithstanding the 2012 crowd) it is something that is more 'flashy' than dangerous, ...dramatic tho it is. Makes for some darn cool entertainment though. The natural universe: even cooler than the stuff you see on TV :)

Seriously, how significant is this? Is this in the realm of sunspots, or is this something more traumatic and rare for our old pal Sol? Just a fun triviality or will this seriously affect radio/electronic usage? (I suspect not from what I have read, but I await more informed views).

--diogenesNY
 
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A CME could be a serious problem for space travelers. It is a real headache for NASA in planning any mission to mars. Even the moon missions were planned in part based on solar activity. Not so much a problem for stuff in Earth orbits. They are relatively slow moving and detectable in time to shut down satellites and return shuttles to earth.
 
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Any updates on when they will be hitting us?
 
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It hit on the First of August...

Lotta pretty lights in the sky if you were in the right place (apparently as far south as Michigan). According to the linked article (have a look, it has plenty of details) it was a class C3 eruption, not too big, mostly pretty lights.

have a look:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/space/7926176/Solar-storm-hitting-Earth-causes-spectacular-aurora-displays.html [Broken]

diogenesNY
 
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I would like to address the topic of Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) and its implications for us earthbound folks. CMEs are massive eruptions of plasma and magnetic field from the sun's corona, and they can have a wide range of effects on Earth and its inhabitants.

Firstly, CMEs are a common occurrence on the sun, with an average of about three per day during the peak of the solar cycle. This particular CME on Aug 2, 2010 was not an unusual event and did not pose any significant threat to Earth or its inhabitants. However, it is important to note that CMEs can vary in size and strength, and in rare cases, they can cause disruptions to our daily lives.

One of the potential impacts of a strong CME is the disruption of satellite and communication systems. This is because the high energy particles from a CME can interfere with the electronics and communication signals in Earth's orbit. However, our technology has advanced significantly and we have systems in place to mitigate these effects.

There is also a potential risk to astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) during a CME event. The ISS is protected by Earth's magnetic field, but during a strong CME, the particles can penetrate this field and potentially harm the astronauts. In such cases, the astronauts are advised to take shelter in the most protected areas of the ISS.

In terms of its impact on us earthbound folks, a CME can also cause beautiful auroras in the night sky, as the charged particles from the sun interact with Earth's atmosphere. These auroras are harmless and can be quite a spectacular sight to behold.

In summary, while CMEs are a natural occurrence and can have some minor impacts on our daily lives, they are not a cause for major concern. Our understanding of these events and our advanced technology allows us to prepare and mitigate any potential risks. So, while it may make for some entertaining videos and headlines, there is no need for alarm or panic. The natural universe is indeed full of wonders, and CMEs are just one of them.
 

What is a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)?

A CME is a massive burst of solar wind and magnetic fields that are ejected from the Sun's corona, or outermost layer. This phenomenon can release billions of tons of particles into space at high speeds.

What happened during the CME on August 2, 2010?

On August 2, 2010, a CME was observed on the Sun's surface. It was a relatively small event, but still caused some disruptions on Earth.

How does a CME affect Earth?

When a CME reaches Earth, it can cause disturbances in the planet's magnetic field. This can lead to auroras, disruptions in radio and satellite communications, and potential power outages.

Was Earth in any danger during the CME on August 2, 2010?

No, Earth was not in any significant danger during the CME on August 2, 2010. However, it did cause some minor disruptions, such as temporary radio blackouts and auroras appearing in unusual locations.

How can we prepare for future CMEs?

Scientists and researchers are constantly monitoring the Sun's activity and predicting potential CMEs. Governments and organizations can also prepare by having contingency plans in place for potential disruptions to communication and power systems.

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